Agra was the capital of the Mughal empire for most of the 16th and 17th centuries, and the city is full of what the emperors left behind. Most visitors see two places and leave. If you have a full day, or better two, this is the order we would put them in. Our Agra tours page lists every trip that covers the city.
1. The Taj Mahal
Built by Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1648 for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and one of the most recognised buildings on earth. Give it at least two to three hours, and go at sunrise if you possibly can. Before you go, read our guide to Taj Mahal ticket prices and timings. Closed on Fridays.
2. Agra Fort
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right: a mile and a half of red sandstone walls enclosing the palaces of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Look for the Musamman Burj, the octagonal tower where Shah Jahan spent his last years looking across the river at the Taj. Allow 90 minutes.
3. Itimad-ud-Daulah (the Baby Taj)
A small marble tomb on the far bank of the Yamuna, built by Empress Nur Jahan for her father. Its inlay work came before the Taj Mahal's and is just as fine. It is rarely crowded — one of our favourite hours in Agra.
4. Mehtab Bagh
The 'moonlight garden' directly across the river from the Taj Mahal. Come for sunset, when the marble turns gold and the crowds are on the other side. It is also the best place to see the Taj on a Friday.
5. Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra
On the Delhi road, ten kilometres from the centre. A vast gateway, a five-storey tomb mixing Hindu, Islamic and Christian motifs, and gardens full of blackbuck and peacocks. It is an easy stop on the way in from Delhi.
6. Fatehpur Sikri
Akbar's abandoned red sandstone capital, 40 km west of Agra. It deserves half a day; we wrote a separate guide on visiting Fatehpur Sikri from Agra.
7. Jama Masjid, Agra
Built in 1648 by Shah Jahan's daughter Jahanara, facing the Agra Fort across the old city. Step inside for the courtyard, then walk out into the bazaars around it.
8. Kinari Bazaar and the old city
Lanes of wedding trims, spices, shoes and sweets. Go with someone who knows the way and try the petha and dalmoth Agra is known for — more in our Agra food guide.
9. Chini ka Rauza
A tomb covered in glazed Persian tiles, rare in India and mostly overlooked. Ten minutes from the Baby Taj.
10. Ram Bagh
Thought to be the oldest Mughal garden in India, laid out by Babur in the 1520s. Quiet, green and a glimpse of where the Mughal garden idea began.
11. A marble inlay workshop
The descendants of the craftsmen who decorated the Taj still practise pietra dura in Agra. Watching a piece being cut and set takes twenty minutes and explains a great deal about what you have just seen.
12. The elephant and bear rescue centres
Wildlife SOS runs an elephant conservation centre near Mathura and a sloth bear rescue facility near Agra, both open to visitors by booking. Our Taj Mahal sunrise tour with elephant conservation pairs the Taj with an afternoon there.
How many days do you need in Agra?
One day covers the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and one more stop. Two days lets you see the Taj at sunrise, add the Baby Taj and Mehtab Bagh, and give Fatehpur Sikri a proper morning. Our 2 days Taj Mahal overnight tour is built exactly that way.
8 hours
Taj Mahal · Agra Fort · Baby Taj · Mehtab Bagh
Agra local sightseeing tour by car with guide
A full day of Agra sightseeing from your Agra hotel or the railway station: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, the Baby Taj and sunset at Mehtab Bagh, with a private car and a licensed local guide.
2 days
Delhi · Agra · Overnight
2 days Taj Mahal overnight tour
Agra at a human pace from Delhi: the Baby Taj and sunset at Mehtab Bagh on day one, the Taj Mahal at sunrise on day two, and home by evening.
1 day
Delhi · Agra · Mathura
Taj Mahal sunrise tour with elephant conservation centre
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, then an afternoon at the elephant conservation centre near Mathura, where rescued working elephants are rehabilitated.
